With an aging population, fronted by the “baby boomers,” we are likely to see an even greater demand for anti-inflammatory and painkilling interventions in the near future.

The problem is that most over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs are highly dangerous when used long term, which is the very nature of the conditions many people face. Whether they are dealing with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), past injuries, or work-related wear and tear, reducing pain and protecting the joints are an ongoing issue.

And this is urgent business. Deaths from painkillers have tripled in the past decade.1 The reliance on synthetic COX-2 inhibitors has led to a dangerous cycle of dependence on medicines that only offer temporary relief at a high price to health. That is why it is critical for practitioners and all of those involved in the natural health field to promote a viable, effective, and safe alternative.

The emerging role of epigenetics in gene regulation is causing a paradigm shift in healthcare and nutrition. The Lunasin peptide with its novel epigenetic mechanism of action provides an effective and nutritional alternative against non-communicative, degenerative chronic diseases. Lunasin’s ability to turn on and off genes makes it a viable and potentially groundbreaking treatment option for chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease. But how and why does this peptide work and how can it be used in combination with diet and nutrition for optimal results? This report will outline the effects of Lunasin on the body, providing an overview of epigenetics and outlining the effects Lunasin has on the human body at the cellular and molecular level.

About 1 in 10 Americans report symptoms of depression, and the causes can be as varied as the individuals reporting them.

Depression is a major global public health issue leading to substantial disability. The pharmaceutical interventions can be quite costly, and have many potentially serious adverse effects. There are also many people whose disease does not fully respond to treatment. The BCM-95® curcumin used in this study shows efficacy on major depression on its own at the same level as the drug, and even better results when combined with the drug.

The results of this study – and further studies to come – have incredible potential. They will be meaningful for the health and hope of millions of people worldwide

Sleep Well, Sleep Safely: An Exploration of the Importance of Sleep and Botanical Alternatives to Conventional Hypnotics

An estimated 10 percent of U.S. adults take conventional sleep medication for poor sleep. But recent data indicates that these conventional hypnotics are associated with increased risk of mortality. So when someone suffers from insomnia, how can they get the sleep they need, without the harsh effects of conventional sleep aids?

Herbal remedies provide a therapeutic strategy of sleep support that relies upon the restoration of circadian rhythm in concert with sedative neurological tonification. Several key botanicals provide safe and effective sleep support. Learn what they are in this informative whitepaper.

Menstrual cramps and endometriosis are two of the most common gynecologic problems in reproductive aged women. There is a robust historical tradition of treating acute and chronic pelvic pain with plants. Modern research provides both some evidence, as well as a theoretical basis for using these plants in clinical practice. With the right botanical regimen, women can find much needed relief from painful symptoms without the harsh side-effects associated with more traditional medications. In this report, learn how ginger, turmeric, cramp bark, valerian and other herbs affect physiological health and how the right combinations can produce effective and long-lasting relief from common gynecologic issues.

Mental health conditions are a significant public health issue. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States for ages 15 to 44 and is the most common psychiatric condition worldwide, followed closely by generalized anxiety disorder. Since the 1990s, the prescribing of antidepressant drugs has steadily increased in the United States, even though the clinical efficacy of these drugs has been called into question for more than a decade. The benefits of these medications have been over-stated, leading clinicians to prescribe them for many patients who are unlikely to benefit from their use. An integrative approach, one that addresses all aspects of lifestyle, is far more likely to offer real solutions for those struggling with depression and/or anxiety. But which botanicals are best used to treat anxiety and depression and what sort of evidence is there to support their efficacy?

Probiotics for the Mind: A Crossroads of the Microbiome and Mental Health

In the medical world, significant research and literature demonstrates the importance of gut ecology on GI and mental health. This gut-brain connection is a familiar concept that underscores the mind’s capacity to affect digestive health; however, new research shows that this relationship also functions in reverse. Specifically, microbial residents of the intestinal tract can influence emotional state, mood, cognition, stress responses and social behavior. This has been proven with numerous animal and human case studies. Accordingly, as single agents or as adjuncts to traditional approaches, probiotics have many emerging applications in clinical psychiatry.

Children of all ages face respiratory challenges such as earache, cough, runny nose, upper respiratory infections, sore throat and tonsillitis. Botanical medicines offer effective assistance for these issues. They can address acute aspects of infection and inflammation, as well as aid in breaking the vicious cycle of chronic illness. Numerous botanicals can be used to treat these conditions including echinacea, elderberry, eyebright, fenugreek, plantain, thyme, elecampane, marshmallow root, goldenseal, andrographis, anise seed and mullein. These botanicals can be used as primary treatment or adjunctive treatment for many conditions.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis): An Overview of the Research and Clinical Indications

Goldenseal, also known as berberine, is a member of the buttercup or Ranunculaceae family. It is a low growing perennial plant with red fruit. Its root has a bright, deep yellow appearance. Goldenseal is native to and grows in the midwestern and eastern parts of the USA in woodlands, including the Ohio River Valley, West Virginia, the mountains of North and South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and north to New England and Upstate New York and parts of Quebec, Canada.

Blue Vervain (Verbena officinalis): An Overview of the Research and Clinical Indications

Blue vervain is also known as Verbena officinalis, American Blue Vervain and Simpler’s Joy. It is in the Verbenacea plant family. Blue vervain is indigenous to the United States, flowers during the summer months, and is typically found in tall grassy fields and along roadsides. The King's American Dispensatory historically listed this perennial plant for use as tonic, emetic, expectorant, and sudorific. A sudorific is a substance that causes or increases sweating. Eclectic Physician Dr. John Scudder included blue vervain in the classic text: The American Eclectic Materia Medica and Therapeutics, 1898. He listed its traditional use for colds, coughs and other issues affecting the respiratory organs as well as its use for "obstructions of the glandular system". It has also been used over the course of time to ease tension and support a healthy mood. Blue vervain is a tall (3-4 feet), slender, elegant, perennial plant with opposing leaves, which are lobed and serrated in shape and have small purplish-blue flowers.

Cystitis, herpes simplex, yeast and bacterial vaginitis, and human papilloma virus are infections commonly found in women. While there are numerous prescription medications to manage and treat these issues, there are also many evidence-based natural treatments that can provide similar results with fewer side effects. In this report, learn about some of the most effective botanicals for these infections including cranberry, Oregon grape root, uva ursi, green tea, St. John’s wort, lemon balm, cruciferous extracts, turmeric, tea tree, goldenseal, garlic, and pipsissewa.

For many women, having a baby happens easily and with little effort. For others, conception or carrying a baby to full term can be a struggle that wreaks havoc on their emotional and physiological well-being. In this report on female fertility, we will review the basic issues of conception, common etiologies contributing to infertility issues, multiple miscarriages, and the impact of environmental endocrine hormone blockers on the female reproductive system.Botanical therapeutic strategies can help women conceive and carry to full term. Botanical action, specific key herbs, and special consideration of contributing etiologies will be discussed in this paper, along with detailed botanical information that includes preparations, dosing, safety considerations and contraindications.

This four part series is intended for healthcare practitioners that are relatively new to the world of botanical medicine, as well as practitioners looking to better understand the optimal way to incorporate herbs into your practice. In this series, you will learn about the history of botanical medicine, the role of botanical medicine in modern society, how to determine the appropriate use of an herb, considerations when choosing herbal products, and how to stock a basic herbal dispensary. This paper covers the most commonly used herbs in clinical practice in various therapeutic categories such as immune support, digestive support, women’s and men’s health issues, and herbs for pain and stress relief.Download this FREE report today!

Exploring the Relationship Between Toxicity and Hormonal Imbalance

The modern world is full of toxins that we don’t fully understand. Anyone who works in natural or holistic medicine can attest to the fact that chronic illnesses are on the rise. Examples of these illnesses include asthma, diabetes, heart disease and a variety of cancers. The rise of these diseases might be attributed, to some degree, to toxicity in the environment and how the body interacts with those toxins.

In this report, we'll look at some of the most widely used and effective hepatoprotective herbs including:

Anxiety disorders can manifest differently in women and can worsen premenstrually, postpartum and in the perimenopausal transition. Insomnia is pandemic in midlife women, although the cause remains unexplained within the scientific community. This report will examine both evidence-based and traditional approaches to using select botanicals with particular attention to the influence of cortisol on sleep disturbance. It will also discuss the influence of hormonal states on insomnia and anxiety.Download this FREE report today!

Botanical Strategies for Migraines and Depression

Migraine headaches and depression, most commonly found in women, are often difficult to treat due to the wide range of causes and treatment plans available. Botanical medicines can be effective in treating these conditions due to the chemistry involved in depression and migraines. By examining scientific evidence, the central nervous system, mechanisms of action, and the historical and anecdotal uses of these plants, their effectiveness in treating migraines and depression will be demonstrated.

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by humeral or cell-medicated immune responses in the body. There are autoimmune processes that seem to be precipitated by unique and complex interactions of causative factors. Examination of these factors can lead to a better understanding of these diseases. Lifestyle, environment and diet have to be taken into consideration when creating a plan for someone with an autoimmune disease. This plan may include botanical adaptogens that can be used to support and improve thyroid function. But what are adaptogens and which are best suited to treat autoimmune diseases?

In the U.S., one out of every four people will die from cancer. One in every two men and one in every three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The rampant spread of this disease begs the question: how can cancer be treated or prevented? A number of botanicals are used in the prevention of cancer and its recurrence. But what are the roles of these botanicals in managing the toxicities of conventional cancer therapies? What types of research supports these claims? How do these botanicals compare to traditional medicinal practices?

Women’s health includes a wide array of gynecological and primary care issues. Herbal remedies can be effective in treating a variety of issues and conditions. From anxiety to cancer, the benefits of botanical medicines are vast. This whitepaper will focus on these 10 herbs, including the scientific research, as well as the historical traditional uses in different decades and different health issues in a woman’s life.

Naturopathic physicians have the ability to make an impact on current and future generations of patients. But in order to do this, practitioners must first explore why a patient developed a specific disease. Epigenetics focuses on striking a balance between genetics and lifestyle. But what is epigenetics and how does it occur? And, more importantly, how can it be applied to preventive medicine? With numerous case studies and visual aids, this report offers an informative look how things such as maternal malnutrition, environmental exposures and stress can impact generations of offspring.

In this report, Dr. Mary Bove examines the best ways to minimize the effects of stress in children and the various types of botanical medicines that can be used in children and teens to help combat stress.

In this report, Tori Hudson, N.D. discusses several of the botanical solutions that have shown to be effective for patients with metabolic syndrome, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

This report covers some of the most common botanicals including:

Cinnamon

Fenugreek

Bitter melon

Gymnema

Curcumin

Bilberry

In addition to discussing the chemical constituents and properties of these botanicals, this report also includes recommended dosing amounts as well as possible side effects.

This report also references research studying the effectiveness of these botanical solutions as well as two case studies as an overview for how practitioners can integrate these botanicals for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Alzheimer’s disease is practically a household word these days, as the number of individuals diagnosed with this debilitating condition continues to skyrocket. While effective treatments are in the developmental stages, many promising areas of scientific research are demonstrating that several different types of cellular pathways are involved in the death and destruction of critical brain cells. The role of a single yet powerful molecule, calcium, is now at the forefront of such research, as diverging lines of evidence point to the role of calcium in healthy and unhealthy brain cells.

More than 9 million women have type 2 diabetes and nearly a third of those women remain undiagnosed

This report investigates many of the metabolic changes that occur in women beginning in their 40s and 50s.

Dr. Tori Hudson, N.D., covers a range of metabolic issues including thyroid, adrenal dysregulation, insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity and metabolism during perimenopause and menopause stages; and offers several botanical solutions that address some of these issues and their related symptoms.

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) was first identified in 1979 as an enzyme cofactor in microorganisms. This unique compound has since been characterized as an important growth factor in bacteria and plants and is widely distributed in nature. Find more about the neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects of PQQ.

What impact does stress have on the body and how can herbal solutions help?

Contributors: Keri Marshall, MS, ND and Christie P. Egeston, MS

In this new report, integrative practitioners share their knowledge of herbal solutions and how various botanicals can help reduce stress and improve health in patients. Read about case studies and clinical trials that focus on the powerful influence of botanicals on the neuroendocrine system and other systems in the body.